On Sunday, November 9, 2026, our Church Council ratified the Ministry Blueprint. The vote to approve was unanimous among the large group in attendance in Wesley Hall. The Blueprint is the final output from the multi-stage Understanding SUM Together project, begun four months ago.
Pastor DH opened and closed the proceedings with prayer.
Sue Homrok-Lemke, Council Chair, welcomed everyone and covered the agenda. She reminded people of the earlier process steps guided by Revs. Mel, Dennis, and Deb. She then reviewed Priority A: Organizational Structure & Decision-Making. In response to questions and comments from the audience, she suggested two additions to the Blueprint:
In A-2, add the word “start” to the list of possible actions around ministries.
Also in A-2, add a second bullet point – “Develop a good process for determining which ministries we should start, continue, change, etc.”
These additions were approved by vote of those present. Sue explained that church leaders determined that A-1 and A-5 are the logical first priorities; they are precursors to the other three items under Priority A.
Michele Lemay, Finance Chair, reviewed Priority B: Financial Sustainability & Stewardship. Church leaders determined that B-1 is the first priority. One addition to the Blueprint, approved by vote of those attending, flowed from questions and comments:
Under B-2, add a new bullet point – “Communicate to the congregation which ministries need the most help.”
In response to a question, Pastor DH gave an extensive analysis of three leadership models. One is the traditional model of separate committees for key functions, such as Trustees, Finance, and SPR. The chairs of those committees might meet occasionally as a group. This is our current approach. Another model is sometimes called “One Board”. Here, one group of people would fill multiple functional roles in a series of back-to-back sessions in one night. Last is a hybrid combination of the first two. Separate committees would continue to exist, but a frequent meeting of representatives from each committee would drive coordinated decision-making. Pastor DH argued in favor of the hybrid. Our Blueprint would have the final decision on this matter taken after the first round of priorities, under step A-3.
Bruce Hale, Communications Chair, reviewed Priority C: Intergenerational Belonging. No real-time changes were made to this section, although there were numerous questions and comments. Church leaders determined the logical first priority is C-1. It deals with listening and understanding those who may become new members, and confronting barriers to participation. It is a building block for the other three pieces of Priority C.
Sue concluded by explaining that leadership intends to hold robust quarterly Council meetings. The upcoming January meeting should demonstrate considerable progress on the Blueprint items singled out for top priority. She then called for a vote to ratify the Blueprint, as amended. Approval was unanimous.
To read the more detailed meeting minutes taken by Council Secretary, Leslie Lahue, please click here.
Bruce Hale